Since they are made of a variety of different materials (plastic, paper, absorbents, etc.) and are additionally contaminated with human waste, they are virtually impossible to recycle.

Since they are neither organic nor recyclable waste, in the majority of cases they end up in landfill.

The fact that no one has any idea how long it might actually take for them to even begin to break down is just one of the many issues with disposable diapers.

We have to ask ourselves:

“Is the convenience of being able to quickly put on a diaper and simply throw away the messy used one worth contributing to the environmental destruction of our planet?”

For many of us, that answer is simply “No”.

Therefore, we look to better earth-friendly alternatives.

The Best Eco-Friendly Diapers: Reusable Cloth

The obvious choice for eco-friendly diapering is to use cloth diapers.

This is not as intimidating as it once was, back when all you had was a big piece of cloth and some fasteners.

There are plenty of reusable cloth diapers that come in a variety of cute patterns.

The only barrier to overcome is committing to do a lot of laundries and not being afraid of poop.

GroVia Reusable Hybrid Diaper Shell

GroVia is a highly respected name in the eco-friendly diaper world and their hybrid diaper system is one of the main reasons.

By starting with this shell, parents can decide what insert to use based on what is best for their family or even for specific occasions.

Reusable Soaker Pads

For those who don’t mind laundry and do not want to throw anything away, pick up some Reusable Soaker Pads. These snap right into the shell and do not require any further prep.

When wet they can be removed and a new pad snapped in as long as the shell is not soiled.

If you need to minimize your laundry loads, perhaps due to travel, or even if you just are not sold on the 100% cloth diapering concept, GroVia also makes Disposable BioSoaker Pads that can be used in their hybrid shell.

This can be a great transition into eco-friendly diapering for parents who are new to the concept.

In the same way that reusable pads can simply be removed and replaced, so too can disposable BioSoaker pads.

The lining and waterproof outer layer are both compostable to EN13432 standard while the core is made of sustainably harvested absorbent wood pulp and SAP gel.

Mama Koala One Size 6-Pack

There are six colorful patterns included in this pack of reusable pocket cloth diapers by Mama Koala.

Each one comes with a triple layer microfiber insert that can absorb a large amount while the inner cloth protects your baby from moisture. The waterproof outer layer and leg elastics protect against leaks.

As far as cloth diapers go, this is almost as easy as using a disposable. The only difference is that you need to remove the liner to wash and then load it back up before the next use.

There are many rows of snaps to accommodate your baby as they grow. At a minimum weight rating of 8 lbs., these can be used from day one all the way until they are outgrown around 35 pounds. With the proper care, these should last all the way to potty training.

Andy Pandy Biodegradable Bamboo Disposable Diapers

This family-run business based in Michigan started this brand because the founder parents wanted to create a diaper that was not only safe for their own children, but for all children as well as for our environment.

These unique diapers are mostly made from bamboo fiber, resulting in a diaper that is naturally hypoallergenic and antibacterial.

Since bamboo is a fast-growing renewable resource that does not rely on fertilizers or pesticides, it is a much more eco-friendly material than what goes into the majority of disposable diapers.

Being gentle to both, our environment and your baby’s skin is the driving idea behind this product. As a result, no harsh or harmful chemicals like chlorine, preservatives, alcohol, phthalates or PVC are to be found in these diapers.

The company also donates to the St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital which supports children with cancer and other serious diseases.

Correction: in an earlier version of this article we said that Andy Pandy diapers were 100 % biodegradable. While this is true for the bamboo part of it, the diaper as a whole is made of about 87 % biodegradable materials. The company reached out to us with this correction as well as saying “…we are continuously working on getting this number up but we have to ensure that the original quality of the diapers is not compromised…”. You really have to give the company props for their honesty and straightforwardness!